Anyone who thinks that you become a journalist or broadcaster in order to be a wallflower needs to think again.

That test should not be about ratings. What should weigh is the knowledge that a public broadcaster delivers programmes that matter.

Until I was 21, I wasn't going into the media. I was a professional show jumper; I was going to have a farm... Then my father died, and it changed my life. I realised I had to have a go at being a journalist to see if I could cut the mustard.

Food is about communal togetherness. Our family does sit at the table. I think it's a great tragedy if a family doesn't have a table, as there is such an atmosphere of good will and warmth when we have eight people sitting around it.

I've never been a depressive, but I felt quite close to the edge at times. But you never know what's around the corner. Mercifully, what's around the corner is joy.

Anyone who thinks they're indispensible is fooling themselves.